Shannon's Corner

Like a seed buried in the earth, we enter into a process of waiting, breaking, and growth, trusting that new life will come in due time. In the darkness, unseen and seemingly lifeless, the seed coat is breaking open—letting go of its old form to make way for new life. Moments of transition where we have left behind the familiar but have not yet arrived at what is to come. These liminal spaces can feel uncertain, even uncomfortable, yet they are essential for transformation. A seed, when planted, enters its own liminal space. It is buried beneath the soil, unseen and seemingly lifeless. But in that hidden place, something profound is happening: the seed coat is breaking open, its old form dissolving, making way for new life.    Lent is a time of dying to self—of surrendering our own desires so that something greater can grow within us. Making room for God to do His work in us.  Just as a seed cannot rush its development, we, too, must trust the process, knowing that even i...

  Life is full of transitions—those in-between moments when we’ve left behind what was, but we’re not yet sure what’s ahead. These  liminal spaces —places of waiting and uncertainty—can feel unsettling. Yet, they are also sacred spaces where God meets us, speaks to us, and gently leads us forward.   One of the most powerful examples of encountering God in a liminal space is the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. She is pregnant, alone, and fleeing mistreatment, unsure of what the future holds. In this vulnerable moment, she finds herself in the wilderness, and it is there—at her most desperate—that God meets her. But instead of offering immediate solutions, He asks a question:   "Where have you come from, and where are you going?"   This is not just a question of geography; it is one of identity and purpose. God doesn’t ask to condemn her, but to invite her into reflection, healing, and a renewed sense of direction. In this moment, Hagar gives God a name— El Roi...

  This week begins the season of Lent. In a world that often values certainty and definitive answers, Ash Wednesday serves as a powerful reminder of our mortality and the transitions we all face in life. It reminds us of the power of dwelling in the questions, of standing on the threshold between what was and what might be. The ashes represent both death and renewal and speak to our fundamental liminality as humans – beings who exist between dust and divinity, constantly in the process of becoming.    The 40 days ahead offer a deliberate sanctuary of reflection, spiritual discipline, and renewal. Accept the Lord’s invitation to connect with Him as He nurtures our faith and grows our relationship with Him deeper. In this threshold time, allow this to be an invitation to experience the gospel.   Every significant life change involves both an ending and a beginning. The loss of the old creates space for new growth, much as the Lenten season of sacrifice leads ...